Congratulations to Perry Edwards, on his animation, Desperate Crayons, which is his second animation to be featured on cable television—this time on the Independent Film Channel (IFC). It was only a short two years ago that we last visited with Perry on Renderosity's Front Page News. At that time we joined him in celebrating the television debut of his animation, A Short Visit To Toy Town, which was featured on the Nicktoons [TV] Network 2005 Film Festival. Join with me in exploring Perry's newest venture.

 

 

Dee-Marie: How excited are you to have another animation featured on television?

Perry Edwards: Very surprised and excited. I was very busy with the start of a new school year at the School of Advertising Art, and had forgotten about the movie being on the IFC Media Lab.

DM: Ok, I'll let that first shameless plug slide [laughter], if you tell us what IFC Media Lab is all about.

PE:[With a wicked smile, Perry complied with my request, ignoring my feigned warning] The IFC Media Lab is connected with the Independent Film Channel (IFC). It is a great place for amateur filmmakers to show their films and animations. Other members rank your film and the top 5 or 6 films are then shown on the IFC cable channel.

DM: Besides the member votes, are there specific procedures for getting an animation on the IFC cable television network?

PE: Tons of legal paperwork and a high quality copy of the movie! I had no actors, props or locations to worry about, and the music was taken from a CD created by a talented co-worker, Yvette Williams, who provided the lyrics, music and vocals—shameless buttering-up plug number one [Perry added amidst another round of laughter].

 

 

DM: Oh, I forgot to let you know that the use of legal musical collaboration is encouraged, so that shameless plug doesn't count. Getting back to your current creation, are you still using Cinema4D as your primary animation software? What other software was used in the creation of Desperate Crayons?

PE: I’m still using, and loving, Cinema4D. I just upgraded to version 10, but the film was done in 8.5. Much of the work was also done in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

DM: Your current award winning animation is, hmm how should I put this…a bit quirky. What was your inspiration for the storyline?

PE: I got the idea while looking through a children’s coloring book. I was also watching Desperate Housewives frequently during that period (alcohol may have also been a contributing factor).

 

Desperate Crayons © Perry Edwards

 

DM: Ah well, after that explanation it all makes sense. From concept to completion, how long did it take you to finish the dysfunctional Crayon family short film?

PE: I worked on the film, on and off, for 10 months. I took breaks to complete other projects and busy times at school created many interruptions.

DM: Do you storyboard your animation projects, or do you just jump in and go for it?

PE: I start with a few rough doodles—try a few things out in C4D, and then go back to create a more detailed storyboard.

DM: What else have you been up to since your last interview?

PE: Creating new 3D illustrations and reworking a few of my earlier ones, finishing another movie, The Case of The Unscooped Poop Snoop (which is now on the IFC website), teaching and growing older and crazier.

 

The Case of The Unscooped Poop Snoop © Perry Edwards

 

DM: OK, that is shameless plug number two (the new movie on the IFC web site, not the fact that you are getting older and crazier). For that, you have to answer my favorite interview question: Do you feel that animators can achieve greatness by sheer talent, or do you think formal CG training is also necessary?

PE: I think a good blend of both is usually necessary. A lot will depend where they want to go with their skills. When you see the credits for a movie like Shrek, you realize that many different areas of talent and skills are needed.

DM: What are your favorite tips and tricks to pass along to animator hopefuls who wish to achieve their 15 minutes [or less] of animation fame?

PE: Start It… Keep Working On It… Finish It! Sounds simple, but anyone who has completed a movie (or the first book of an Arthurian trilogy) knows that it can be harder than it seems.

DM: Great advice! Hey, was that a shameless buttering-up the interviewer plug?

PE: [refuses to answer, but sports a sheepish grin]

DM: All teasing aside, I know that the Renderosity community joins me in congratulating you on your win. Can we still view your film on the IFC television station, and can it also be viewed online?

PE: There have been three showings already, but the next one will cater to the night owls: Friday, September, 21, at 10:45PM.

Desperate Crayons, and my new movie The Case of The Unscooped Poop Snoop, can also be seen online. My last shameless plug...I promise!

We invite you to view:

• Perry Edwards Personal Web Site
• Desperate Crayons
  
• The Case of The Unscooped Poop Snoop
• Perry Edwards 2005 Renderosity Interview
• Perry Edwards Renderosity Gallery

 

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